Avoiding Soldering With Press-Fit Connectors

If you are familiar with the world of connectors, I’m sure it may have occurred to you that press-fit connectors are pressed through plated holes on a PCB (printed circuit board). This is a superior alternative to soldering. This is because you a few negative elements of soldering cease to be an issue. You won’t continue to see thermal stress on the PCB, cold solder joints, or shorts that can be caused by bridging.

But those aren’t the only benefits of press-fit connectors. They are also easy to repair, environmentally friendly, and less expensive. Like modular connectors, they are tailored to the goals of the consumer within defined parameters and limitations within a project.

So What Is a Press-Fit Connector?

As you know now, you can avoid soldering with press-fit connectors when you are assembling PCB electronics. The press-fit connection is made when a pin is pressed into a fitted hole in a PCB.

But were you aware that there are different types of these power connectors? There are ones with solid pins and ones with compliant pins (these “comply” during insertion without compressing). Solid came first, but that caused issues with board damage. That’s why compliant technology was developed.

Today, compliant pins are greatly preferred. This is because they are easier on the PCB, use less force during the insertion process, and show better, more reliable results. While both solid and compliant pins are used, compliant is the current favorite.

USES

You’ll find press-fit connectors used in many, many types of electrical applications – from data and communication to transport and mechanics. They give the user a dependable structure, maximum functionality, greater efficiency, and many other advantages over traditional soldering techniques.

Many manufacturers configure multiple termination options for these connectors. The press-fit option is quickly becoming a favorite.